Device for removing dirt and corrosion from heat exchanger cores

ABSTRACT

The compact portable device for flushing out and removing dirt and corrosion from the cores of heat exchangers employs an upstanding open top container for the liquid having a bottom of substantial area to constitute a base. A multifunctional mounting and top is employed with a portion thereof to close the container and with a portion thereof constituting passages and support and securing means for first a depending immersion-type motor-driven pump and secondly a valving mechanism preferably constructed of dielectric material which is affixed to the multi-functional top between the same and the bottom of the pump motor. The valving mechanism has passages for alternately connecting the discharge of the pump with either of two passages to provide for reversing flow of the liquid under pressure through the heat exchanger core with attendant recirculation through the container.

United States Patent Paggen [54] DEVICE FOR REMOVING DIRT AND CORROSION FROM HEAT EXCHANGER CORES Harold W. Paggen, PO. Box 381, Hopkins, Mich. 55343 22 Filed: Feb. 17,1970

21 Appl.No.: 12,114

[72] Inventor:

[1 51 3,667,488 June 6, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [57] ABSTRACT The compact portable device for flushing out and removing dirt and corrosion from the cores of heat exchangers employs an upstanding open top container for the liquid having a bottom of substantial area to constitute a base. A multifunctional mounting and top is employed with a portion thereof to close the container and with a portion thereof constituting passages and support and securing means for first a depending immersion-type motor-driven pump and secondly a valving mechanism preferably constructed of dielectric material which is affixed to the multi-functional top between the same and the bottom of the pump motor. The valving mechanism has passages for alternately connecting the discharge of the pump with either of two passages to provide for reversing flow of the liquid under pressure through the heat exchanger core with attendant recirculation through the container.

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DEVICE FOR REMOVING DIRT AND CORIKBION FROM HEAT EXCHANGER CORES This invention relates to a simple, economical and readily portable device for removing dirt, incrustation and corrosion from the coils or cores of heat exchangers, such as for example automobile heaters.

At the present time the coils and cores of the heat exchangers of automobile heaters and other space heaters, through continuous passage of hard water, chemicals and other liquids therethrough, become impaired and often partially clogged through dirt contained in liquids, as well as corrosion, and in many instances electrolysis action on the metal constituting such passages and cores. At the present time, particularly in the case of automobile heaters, either an entirely new core must be installed with expensive removal of the old core or the core per se must be bodily removed from the heater and taken to a repair shop for pressure application of circulants thereto.

It is an object of my invention to provide a small compact reversible pump unit detachably mounted in a small liquid container which can readily be taken to the spot and connected with the lead-in and return conduits of the radiator coil on an automobile, truck or the like; and whereby the dilute acid may be circulated at proper pressure and recirculated in opposite direction to efficiently dissolve, disintegrate and remove dirt particles, corrosion and platings from electrolytic action.

More specifically, it is an object to provide in a readily portable device of the class described a motor-connected pump unit which may be immersed in the dilute acid solution or other liquid used for cleaning and wherein a supply of the liquid, together with the motor-equipped pump, may be readily transported to and connected with the intake and outlet ends of a heat exchanger core without removal of the core from the heater or other heat exchanger.

The foregoing and other objects will be more apparent in connection with the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section showing an embodiment of my invention applied operatively to the coil of an automobile heater;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing the valve means for reversing the pressure flow of cleaning liquid;

FIG. 3 is a view mostly in vertical section on an enlarged scale showing in detail the construction of the pump and the circulation of the cleansing liquid in one direction, and

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

My entire structure is preferably solidly mounted upon and works in combination with a cylindrical liquid container C having adjacent its upper circular open end bayonet-type slots B which are adapted to engage and secure the lugs T-l of a closure top T of disc shape. Suitable handles H are provided on opposite sides of container C to facilitate portability of the entire device.

concentrically of top closure T, and of course concentrically of container C, in operation is a unidirectional A/C motor M which is shown as supported on legs L, L-l and 1.1-2, a short distance above the top of closure T preferably resilient washers or the like W being interposed in such connections to damp out vibration and sound. Motor M has a depending armature shaft S which is universally connected to an elongated pump shaft 10 of my structure, by suitable means such as a flexible and elastic tubular member 11. Shaft 10 is journaled near its upper end in suitable bearing collar 12 secured in an axial aperture of top closure T, and near its lower end is journaled in a similar bearing 13 afiixed interiorly within the end of a vertical protection tube 14 which rigidly interconnects the top closure T with the top of a shallow cylindrical housing 15 which contains the pump impeller, indicated as an entirety by the letter I. The pump housing 15 is open at its lower end and impeller I is shown as made up of four sets of blades 16 disposed in pinwheel fashion upon the bottom 17 of the impeller. The bottom 17 has a liquid intake opening 17a therein and the blades 16, in pairs, form passages which communicate in rotation of the impeller with the lateral relatively wide tangential discharge passage 18 of pump housing 15.

The tangential discharge 18 communicates with an upstanding discharge tube 18a which is positioned, as shown, in close spaced relation from the protective tube 14 for the pump shaft, and at its upper end communicates through a port 18b with the central portion of a hollow valve block 21, later to be described.

The bottom of the pump housing is provided by an upwardly flanged removable bottom disc 20, which is detachably held in sealed relation with the lower edge of the skirt of housing 15 by suitable means, such as a wide strap 19, having an upwardly extending end 19a which is anchored to a loop element 19b on the top of housing 15. The opposite end of the strap 19, as shown, is forked to extend upwardly at the two sides of the up wardly extending portion of discharge 18 and has an anchoring loop for engagement across the top of housing 15.

Simple mechanism for easily controlling reverse flow of liquid from the pump to the entrance and discharge of the heat exchanger Z is provided for, mounted at one side and on the top of the top closure T. The simple embodiment illustrated comprises 'a somewhat elongated hollow block 21 having an axial cylindrical bore 210 formed therein for slide mounting with a pair of valve elements 22a and 22b respectively. Said valve elements are finnly secured to a piston rod 23 which extends concentrically and axially of the bore 210 and which has an outer end extending beyond a removable end closure 24 of the block and provided with a handle 23a by which longitudinal movement of the rod and valves 22a and 22b are easily controlled.

The structure utilized for reversing flow of liquid from the pump is in the nature of a four-way valve and to this end the outer longitudinal side of the longitudinal block 21 is provided with a pair of tubular passages 25 and 26, respectively, being spaced apart and being also spaced from the ends of the bore 21a. The said passages 25 and 26, as shown, are in the form of nipples for removable connection with flexible hoses or tubes 27 and 28, respectively, which are of an internal diameter for ready connection at their outer ends with the intake and discharge of the radiator or heat exchanger core. .Vertical return passages X and Y communicate interior portions of the block 21 with the upper inside portion of container C.

It will be noted, see FIGS. 1 and 2, that the liquid discharge tube 18a communicates with the bore 21a of the hollow valve block 21 at an area substantially centrally or midway disposed of the tubular nipple passages 25 and 26. It will be understood that the valves 22a and 22b, affixed in spaced relation to the piston rod 23, are provided with means, such as O-rings O, for making seal connection with the cylindrical bore 21a of the valving block. It will also be understood that the closure 24 at the handle end of the block constitutes a sealed gland or the like for preventing discharge of the liquid around the piston rod 23.

USE AND OPERATION In operation for use upon an automobile or truck heater having a heat exchanger core, of conventional type, container C should have a capacity of from 1% to 2 gallons of the corrosive solution to assure proper recirculation of the fluid through the core or coil of the heater.

with the motor and the immersion pump unit removed by unlocking and lifting off the top T of the device, container C may be filled to the proper level with a suitable erosion liquid. A dilute solution of an acid, such as muriatic, with a range of from 2% to 7 percent solution by weight, may be poured into the container and thereafter the top T with the unit supported thereon is secured to the upper edge of container C.

The water-filled unit may then be conveniently transported by the handles H to the particular car or truck location, or other unit heater, to be treated. Thereafter, the outer ends of the flexible hoses 27 and 28 are secured over the nipples of the intake and outlet, respectively, of the heater coil,

With the valving structure, including rod 23 and the valving elements 22a and 22b positioned as shown, motor M is started and the erosive liquid will be discharged under pressure upwardly through the passages 18a and 18b (see FIG. 2) and will, through the positioning of the valves 22: and 22b, be diverted through nipple and thence will pass through the conduit 28 into the heater coil. Recirculation of said liquid then occurs through conduit 27 back to nipple 25, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, and thence downwardly through the passage X into the top of the container.

After circulation of the erosive liquid through the coil of the heater exchanger for some time, say or minutes, the valving system is shifted by pushing in the handle 23a thereby shutting off nipple 26 from diversion of the fluid and causing the pumped liquid to rise through the passage 18a and then be diverted in the opposite direction through nipple 25 and conduit 27 to the core of the heater. Recirculation alternately of the liquid in opposite directions is found to be very efiicient in the removal of dirt and corrosion from the coils of the heater exchanger. The reversed flow and direct flow is repeated several times, and of course the liquid in container C may be observed from time-to-time to see the amount of rust, corrosion and dirt which has been removed,

After the proper period a water hose connection may be applied to one of the nipples of the heater coil to flush the same out with water to remove all acid content from the coil or, if desired, a very dilute solution of an alkali, such as washing soda, may be introduced either by hose connection or by utilizing the actual device after emptying the container and refilling with water or a very light alkaline solution.

In operation the immersion pump unit and motor, with the top T, are firmly and efficiently supported by the container which has a substantially increased weight and stability due to the almost filling thereof with the erosive liquid.

It should be kept in mind that the container at top T, the valving mechanism including valves, conduits, are all made of a dielectric plastic or other dielectric material. Thus, there is no opportunity if a partial short or discharge of electricity takes place in communicating the same with the recirculating water or aqueous solution employed.

It will of course be understood that the pump and motor unit may be fixedly or removably supported by other means than the top T from and in association with the container C,

In experimental use, my structure has proven to be highly efficient and very useful in filling stations, garages and the like because of its easy portability, compactness and efiiciency in recirculating the essential liquid through the core of a heat exchanger at point of location.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable device for cleaning and removing corrosion from the cores of heat exchangers having in combination;

a small compact container for holding an erosive and cleaning liquid,

a support mounting associated with said container when filled for fixedly supporting a motor-driven immersiontype recirculating pump,

an immersion-type pump at least partially supported from said support mounting and having a pump impeller disposed in operation within the lower portion of said container, said pump having a liquid intake and a liquid discharge,

said discharge extending exteriorly of said container,

a pair of liquid passages including said discharge connectible by conduits with the intake and discharge respectively of the core of a heat exchanger,

means for reversing the discharge and intake through said liquid passages,

said last-mentioned means comprising a valving mechanism between said passages and the discharge of said pump for directing and reversing flow of erosive liquid under pressure through said heat exchanger core with recirculation through said container,

said valving mechanism comprising an elongate valve housa conduit in communication with the discharge of said pump communicating intermedially of said housing and disposed between saidliquid passages,

a pair of return passages adjacent the respective ends of said valve housing, and

a longitudinally shiftable valve carrying member adapted when in one position to communicate said conduit with one of said liquid passages and when in a second position to communicate said conduit with the second of said liquid passages.

2. A compact portable device for cleaning and removing corrosion from the cores of heat exchangers having in combination:

an upstanding open top container for holding an erosive and cleaning liquid and having a bottom of substantial area to constitute a base,

a multi-functional mounting having at its lower portion means constituting a closure for the top of said container and for also interlocking with said container,

said mounting having also upstanding support means for securing a motor-driven immersion-type recirculating pump to hold the same substantially axially within said container,

an immersiontype pump wholly supported from said multifunctional mounting and having a pump impeller disposed in operation within the lower portion of said container, said pump having a liquid intake and a liquid discharge, said discharge extending externally of said container,

a pair of liquid passages including said discharge connectible by conduits with the intake and discharge respectively of the core of a heat exchanger,

valving mechanism for alternatively connecting said passages with the discharge of said pump for direction and reversing flow of said liquid under pressure through said heat exchanger core and with recirculation through said container, said valving mechanism being also wholly mounted upon and anchored to the top of said mounting, and

hand-controlled shifiable means for directing and reversing flow of liquid under pressure through said heat exchanger core.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said multi-functional mounting and said valving mechanism are wholly constructed of dielectrical material such as a semi-rigid plastic.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. June 6, 1972 3: a Dated Inventor(s) Harold W. Paggen I It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patentare hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [72] in theinventor's address "Hopkins, Mic-hr 55343" should read Hopkins, Minn. 553 43 column 4, line '49, "direction" should read directing Signed and sealed this 12th day of December 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOT'I'SCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents- USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 I w u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 0-366-334.

FORM PO-1050 (10-69) 

1. A portable device for cleaning and removing corrosion from the cores of heat exchangers having in combination; a small compact container for holding an erosive and cleaning liquid, a support mounting associated with said container when filled for fixedly supporting a motor-driven immersion-type recirculating pump, an immersion-type pump at least partially supported from said support mounting and having a pump impeller disposed in operation within the lower portion of said container, said pump having a liquid intake and a liquid discharge, said discharge extending exteriorly of said container, a pair of liquid passages including said discharge connectible by conduits with the intake and discharge respectively of the core of a heat exchanger, means for reversing the discharge and intake through said liquid passages, said last-mentioned means comprising a valving mechanism between said passages and the discharge of said pump for directing and reversing flow of erosive liquid under pressure through said heat exchanger core with recirculation through said container, said valving mechanism comprising an elongate valve housing, a conduit in communication with the discharge of said pump communicating intermedially of said housing and disposed between said liquid passages, a pair of return passages adjacent the respective ends of said valve housing, and a longitudinally shiftable valve carrying member adapted when in one position to communicate said conduit with one of said liquid passages and when in a second position to communicate said conduit with the second of said liquid passages.
 2. A compact portable device for cleaning and removing corrosion from the cores of heat exchangers having in combination: an upstanding open top container for holding an erosive and cleaning liquid and having a bottom of substantial area to constitute a base, a multi-functional mounting having at its lower portion means constituting a closure for the top of said container and for also interlocking with said container, said mounting having also upstanding support means for securing a motor-driven immersion-type recirculating pump to hold the same substantially axially within said container, an immersion-type pump wholly supported from said multi-functional mounting and having a pump impeller disposed in operation within the lower portion of said container, said pump having a liquid intake and a liquid discharge, said discharge extending externally of said container, a pair of liquid passages including said discharge connectible by conduits with the intake and discharge respectively of the core of a heat exchanger, valving mechanism for alternatively connecting said passages with the discharge of said pump for direction and reversing flow of said liquid under pressure through said heat exchanger core and with recirculation through said container, said valving mechanism being also wholly mounted upon and anchored to the top of said mounting, and hand-controlled shiftable means for directing and reversing flow of liquid under pressure through said heat exchanger core.
 3. The structure set forth in claim 2 whereIn said multi-functional mounting and said valving mechanism are wholly constructed of dielectrical material such as a semi-rigid plastic. 